top of page
dji_fly_20230731_163740_666_1690857979003_photo~2_edited.jpg

FPV Drones

FPV Drones

FPV Drones

Laws & Regulations

When it comes to flying any type of Drone, whether it be a Multi-Rotor Drone such as the DJI Mini 3 or the DJI Avata 2. The laws & regulations must be followed by all pilots, in accordance to the city/town/state/province/country. Each place will have their own laws around flying Drones. A quick example is Downtown Toronto, legally we are allowed to fly in that area, but before doing so we must unlock what is known as an Authorization Zone (More on the different types of Zones below). It is required to get authorization before hand because there is an airport located in close proximity to downtown Toronto. If the Laws & Regulations are not followed pilots could face fines along with other penalties from that city/town/state/province/country

Below you will find the different types of Zones and what each one means, and also how to go about unlocking those zones. You will also find some helpful links as well which has helped us to keep safe while flying in different areas. At the bottom of this page you will find the Laws & Regulations for flying your Drone in Canada and in the United States of America, while other countries may have their own Laws & Regulations in accordance to flying Drones. (If you reside in a different country please check for local laws & regulations, although most laws & regulations stated on this page may also apply to other countries, but that specific country might have additional laws & regulations which might not be listed on this page)

GEO Zones 

Restricted Zones: In these Zones, which appear in red on the map, users will be prompted with a warning and flight is prevented. If you believe you have the authorization to operate in a Restricted Zone, please contact flysafe@dji.com or request for Online Unlocking.

​

Altitude Zones: Altitude zones will appear in gray on the map. When flying in these areas, users receive warnings in DJI app, or flight altitude is limited. (Example: zone in gray near an airport)
 

Authorization Zones: In these zones, which appear in blue on the map, users will be prompted with a warning and flight is limited by default. Authorization Zones may be unlocked by authorized users using a DJI verified account.

 

​Warning Zones: In these zones, which may not necessarily appear on the map, users will be prompted with a warning message. (Example: Class E airspace)

​

Enhanced Warning Zones: In these zones, you will be prompted by GEO at the time of flight to unlock the zone using the same steps as in an Authorization Zone, but you do not require a verified account or an internet connection at the time of your flight.

​

GEO Zone Unlock Request via DJI FLY APP 

It is always strongly recommended that before flying in any area to always check the Geo Zones in that area. This can be done through the DJI Fly App (account creation will be required) on any smartphone (Pictures and steps provided below) or through the website on a laptop or Android Tablet/iPad. This will help you ensure that you are abiding by all the laws & regulations and are flying safely. Below we have also provided a link and steps on how to Request for specific GEO Zones in which you want to fly in. 

If you want to submit the request through the website, the steps will be more or less the same as doing it through the App itself. Click Here To Go To The Website

IMG_6094.PNG

Step 1

99C14722-6FD8-4845-950B-A0762B9A3590.PNG

Step 2

E6966D2D-0235-4B70-A053-F94C7BA552DA.PNG

Step 3

  • Step 1 is to Download the app from the App Store and Create an account with DJI

  • Step 2 Tap on the Before You Fly section.This will bring you to a map which will show you all the GEO Zones in the area which you are in and also for the locations in which you plan to fly 

  • In Step 3 you will presented with a map in which you can search for the area in which you want to fly in by using the search bar at the top of the screen 

  • Another tip while in the map is to tap on the 'i' in Step 3, once here it will show you the different GEO Zones, it is recommended to turn on all the options so that way you can see all of the GEO Zones on the map without having to worry about breaking any laws while flying 

2D77C947-D867-4D08-A575-D108A0F54296.PNG
4CB23D00-4B0B-4DEC-B7C7-8CD0A5E45C76.PNG
09549799-CB80-4D24-A3CC-45D6DF5C04F4.PNG

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

  • Once you have chosen a spot to fly check to see if there are any GEO Zones for which you need Authorization

  • If the GEO Zone is Grey, it will always be an Altitude Zone, and for this you do not need any authorization, but you have to keep in mind the altitude displayed is how high you are allowed to fly in that given area. (Some might show it as Altitude Zone of 500m but the legal flying height is up to 120m generally in any area unless otherwise specified by the app during a flight

  • In this example case there is an authorization zone shown in blue in Step 4, and also a red restricted zone shown in red, in the app scroll up from the bottom-up until you are presented with Step 5

  • Once at the Step 5 tap on the GEO Zone section (shown in the red box on the image above), after this you will be presented with the Step 6 image and at the bottom of that screen you will see Apply to Unlock

EFE3004F-DD15-469A-A6C9-FD020BFC89BB.PNG
9949F99A-78DA-4862-B4E0-8CA8A56AA6C8.PNG
053E878F-8B7F-4793-940B-A8057F13CB56.PNG
062F017A-A905-4F48-B028-4D37BA2CFCED.PNG
5E10F7C3-BB7F-473D-BB56-AA42911C9A8D.PNG

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Step 10

Step 11

  • In Step 7 on the bottom right corner you will see an icon which looks like a paper with a plus sign, once selected you will be prompted with a confirmation screen 

  • Once confirmation is completed from Step 8, the next step will require you to choose the unlocking type. We personally like to select the second option Zone Unlocking, this is usually the quickest way with no issues 

  • In Step 10, is where you will fill out details about the drone and the pilot. The First/Last name/phone number should already be filled out automatically, as this information is pulled directly from your account when you first created it. Once you add the drone and pilot details DJI will remember this information for the next time you want to unlock another GEO Zone 

  • In Step 11, the app should automatically detect the GEO Zone you want to unlock, (this will only happen if you tap on the GEO Zone as shown in Step 4. If the GEO Zone is not presented you may use the drop down box to choose the GEO Zone. This step is also where you will select your flying date, as to when you want to fly in that area. Once the date is selected the GEO Zone will remain unlocked for you as the pilot for 3 days. (Keep in mind that the GEO Zone will be unlocked from Midnight on the first day that is selected and will end at midnight on the third day)

  • You will also need to provide a short reason as to why you want to unlock this GEO Zone. After this tap Submit and the GEO Zone Approval should take a few minutes. Usually 99.99% of the time the requests pilots make for the Authorization Zone Unlocks are approved within a few minutes of submitting

Laws & Regulations In Canada

  • Drone pilots must carry a valid Drone pilot certificate and only fly drones that are marked and registered

  • If your are flying a Drone that is less than 250g, it is not required to register the drone or get a drone pilot certificate (If you wish do do both things you may still register the drone and obtain the drone pilot certificate) 

  • You need a drone pilot license (Drone pilot certificate) to fly Drones that weigh 250g up to and including 25kg 

  • You need to be 14 years old to get a basic license and 16 years old to get an advanced license. Children under 14 years of age must be supervised by someone with a license 

  • While flying your Drone follow these additional Rules: 

    • You can fly at night if you have lights on your Drone​

    • Fly below 122m (400 feet) in the air 

    • Fly away from Bystanders, at a minimum horizontal distance of 30m for basic operations 

    • Always fly away from emergency operations and advertised events 

    • Avoid forest fires, outdoor concerts and parades (For the last two you can fly there only if you are licensed and have permission before hand) 

    • Fly away from airports and heliports 

      • 5.6km (3 nautical miles) from airports ​

      • 1.9km (1 nautical mile) from heliports

    • Fly outside controlled airspace (for basic operations only) 

    • Fly far away from other aircrafts, and don't fly near airplanes, helicopters, or other drones 

  • If any of the rules are broken serious penalties including fines and/or jail time​​

  • Fines for Individuals: 

    • Up to $1,000 CAD for flying without a drone pilot certificate ​

    • Up to $1,000 CAD for flying unregistered or unmarked drones 

    • Up to $1,000 CAD for flying where you are not allowed 

    • Up to $3,000 CAD for putting aircraft and people at risk 

  • Fines for Corporations: 

    • ​Up to $5,000 CAD for flying without a drone pilot certificate ​

    • Up to $5,000 CAD for flying unregistered or unmarked drones 

    • Up to $5,000 CAD for flying where you are not allowed 

    • Up to $15,000 CAD for putting aircraft and people at risk 

Laws & Regulations In The United States of America 

The following laws & regulations are applicable for both commercial and non-commercial (recreational) drone pilots: â€‹

  • Drone pilots must carry a valid Drone pilot certificate

  • You must fly your drone at or below 400 feet 

  • You must also mark your Drone clearly with the Registration Number provided after registering your Drone with the FAA 

  • You can fly at night if you have lights on your Drone​

  • To become an FAA-Certified drone pilot you must be at least 16 years old 

  • To register a drone with the FAA you must be at least 13 years old 

  • Drones that weigh less than 0.55 pounds or less than 250g do not have to be registered with the FAA but all rules still apply to those Drone pilots operating these Drones. Anything above 250g must be registered 

  • Use the DJI Fly App to ensure that you are not in a No Fly Zone 

  • You must fly with within the visual line of sight so that you or the observer can see the drone at all times 

  • Fly away from airports and heliports 

    • 5.6km (3 nautical miles) from airports ​

    • 1.9km (1 nautical mile) from heliports

    • Fly far away from other aircrafts, and don't fly near airplanes, helicopters, or other drones 

    • Always fly away from emergency operations and advertised events 

    • Avoid forest fires, outdoor concerts and parades (For the last two you can fly there only if you are licensed and have permission before hand) 

  • Failure to register an unmanned aircraft that is required to be registered may result in regulatory and criminal penalties​

    • The FAA may assess civil penalties up to $27,500 USD​

    • Criminal penalties include fines up to $250,000 USD and/or imprisonment for up to three years 

bottom of page